Stuffing box



Junk 10, 1941. NIXON 2,245,007

STUFFING BOX Filed Dec. 14. 1940 zannm m Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,245,007 s'rurrmc BOX Jeddy D. half to a corporation Nixon, Houston, Tex., Wilson Supply Company,

of Texas assignor' of one- Houston, Tex,

Application December 14, 1940, Serial No. 370,100 3 Claims. (Cl. 286-34 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stuiling boxes.

In the petroleum and other industries, where an elongate member, such as a rod, a wire line or a sucker rod, or some similar member, is moved longitudinally, it is customary to place a stuiling box to pack off around the member so that fluids may not leak through the opening through which the line or rod reciprocates; In many instances, the line or rod is undergoin substantially continuous reciprocating motion so that considerable wear upon the packing member within the stumng box is incurred. Therefore, it becomes necessary to replace the packing member. Such a procedure is difllcult and often. hazardous due to the fact that there is no means provided for sealing or packing of! around the wire line or sucker rod while the worn packing member is being replaced.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved stufling box having a plurality of packing members for packing off an elongate member movable long'itu therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide box wherein one packing and another packing member is arranged so as to pack of! the wire line when the first packing member is being replaced; and wherein the second packing is not utilized except when the first member is being replaced so that the second member is subjected to a minimum of use and wear and rarely, if ever, needs replacing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stumng box wherein the normally inactive packing element may not be accidently or negligently tightened so that injury to or wear on the element, due to such tightening, is eliminated and her thus greatly prolonged.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved stuiiing box having a pair of packing elements, one disposed above the other, and arranged so that they may be made alternately active, whereby one packing element may be utilized to pack of! a member reciprocating. in said box; while the other packing element. which is normally released from packing engagement with said member, may be brought into engagement with said member when saidfirst named packing element becomes worn. and must be replaced. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stumng box wherein the gland or follower adjusting means of the normally the operating life of the mem- 40 lower stufllng box with other features of the inreduced, .axial opening tainer means for active packing element co-acts with the upper box body to secure said box to the lower box body; and wherein a locking means is arranged to fasten the aforesaid parts in position, and a means is provided for preventing disconnection of the parts for the purpose of preventing a blowout.

A further object of an improved stufllng one joint which must by a ackin ring.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved stufling box in which the rethe normally inactive packin member may not be accidentally unscrewed so as to allowthe packing member to be blown out of the stufling box by fluid pressure within the well bore. 1 a A construction desi ed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to which an example of the invention is shown, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of a stufling box constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view takenontheline 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figu e 4 is a taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In the drawing, the numeral ll designates a cylindrical stuiling box body having a screwthreaded pin ll formed on its lower end. The body II will be referred to hereinafter as the body. The pin ll allows the box body to be mounted above and connected to a suitable piece of equipment, such as, a well head, or a tubing head, or a T, or in any other desirable location. An axial bore It extends from the upper end of the body l0 to a point spaced thereof and forms a chamber the invention is to provide box in which there is only be sealed aga n t leaks and lower end of thecenter of the body beveled shoulder ll, may be of any suitable material and'may be provided with a conical lower end II, if desired, which rests upon said shoulder. The packing is preferably, of the split type and is formed with a li, which receives an the accompanying drawing, in

horizontal, cross-sectional view The' the upper body elongate member l6. A similar axial opening |1 extends from the lower end of the bore l2 to the lower end of the body Ill, and is in vertical alinement with the bore I5, so as to receive the elongate member 6.

The upper end of the bore I2 is enlarged so as to form an internal, annular shoulder l8 and a counterbore IS. A follower gland 20 has its lower end disposed in the upper portion of the bore l2 and extends upwardly into the counterbore l9. The gland is provided with an axial bore 2| to receive the member I6, and has its bottom side 22 dished to force the upper. end of said packing l3 inwardly, or said packing may have a conical upper end 23 to complement said dished surface. The follower gland is adapted to be moved downwardly so as to force the packing element, which is formed of some suitable packing material, to pack off around the member IS. The dished bottom side 22 of the gland and the beveled shoulder 4 serve to force th packing toward the member I6 whereby a snug and eflicient packing off is obtained.

The upper end of the gland 20 is provided with raised, external screw threads 24 for engaging in an internally screw-threaded box 25 which depends from the lower end of an upper stufllng box body 21. An annular, pressure-seal packing ring 28 is supported upon the shoulder I8, and the lower end of the box 25 engages the upper side of the ring. The upper body 21 is provided with an external, annular flange 28 which engages the upper end of the lower body l0 so as to support said upper body. The upper end of the lower body III has formed thereupon external screw threads 30 for receiving an internally screw-thre ded retaining collar 3|. This and the upper end of the lower body Hi. In this manner, the upper body 21 is clamped and securely mounted upon the upper.

end of the lower body I0.

The retaining collar 3| may be rotated slightly so as to raise it out of engagement with the flange 29. The upper body 21 is theniree to rotate with respect to the lower body I0. Rotation of the upper body will cause the follower gland 26 to move downwardly by reason of the screw threads 24. This action distorts the pack ing element l3 into a packed-off position around the member l6. Tightening of the retaining collar 3| will further pack-01f or distort the packing element into a packed-01f position, and will clamp the upper body onto the lower body.

As will be seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4 of the drawing, the follower gland 28 is provided with a longitudinal groove 33 in its outside wall. The from the upper end of the gland radial, screw-threaded opening 34 which is disposed slightly below the shoulder l8. A machine screw 35 engages within the opening 34, and is provided with an axial, reduced guide pin or stud 36 upon its inner end. The stud 36 projects into the bore l2 and engages within the groove 33. Thus, the gland 20 is free to move with respect to the body l6, but is prevented from rotating with respect to the body by the stud 36. In this manner,

21 causes the gland to move upthe rotation of sired shape wardly and downwardly with respect to the bod Ill and the packing element l3.

It is also to be noted that the pressure-sea packing ring 28 seals the only Joint between th1 upper body 21 and the lower body I and fluid: are prevented from leaking through this Joint b1 this ring 28. The only other direction in which fluids might pass or leak is upwardly around the member l6, through the upper body 21. This path is blocked by a secondstufling box to be described hereinafter. Thus, the entire device is protected against leaks.

The retaining collar 3| is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed, radially-extending ears 31 which aid in the rotation of the collar. If desired, the ears may be struck by an instrument (not shown) so as to tighten or loosen the collar. This collar is also provided with a depending stop lug 38, which extends downwardly from the lower edge thereof, sufliciently to engage the outer end of the bolt 35, so that the rotation of said collar is limited to one revolution. The provision of this lug prevents a workman from removing the collar and allowing the fluids under pressure within the body I to blow the follower gland, and the packing element l3 out of the body, whereby the fluids would escape.

The upper body 21 is provided with an axial bore 39 extending upwardly from the box 25. The bore 38 is enlarged near its lower end to form an annular, beveled shoulder 44 and a counterbore 4| that extends upwardly to the upper end of the upper body. The member l6 extends through the bore 39 and the counterbore 4| and out the upper end of the device.

A cylindrical bushing 42, having a frustroconical lower end 43, is positioned within the counterbore 4|, so as to rest upon the shoulder 48. The upper end 44 of the bushing is dished, and an axial bore 45 for receiving the member l6 extends through the bushing. A cylindrical packing element 46 is disposed in the counterbore above the bushing and rests thereupon. The packing element 46 may have conical upper and lower ends 41, as shown in the drawing, so as to complement the dished upper end 44 of the bushing and the follower gland to be described hereinafter, or said packing may be of any deand material. This element is formed of some suitable packing material, and is preferably split longitudinally, so that it may be placed around the member IS.

A follower gland 48 is positioned in the counterbore 4| above the packing-element 46 and 'extends above the gland 48 carries an axial bore 43 through which the member l6 passes, and has its lower end 56 dished to complement the conical upper end 41. if used, of the element. The dished lower end 50of the gland 48 and the dished upper end of the bushing 42 serve to press the packing element toward the member 6, so that a more cilicient packing or sealing ofl is had.

A retaining cap 6| is connected by means of screw threads 52 to the upper end of the upper body 21. The cap is provided at its upper end with an inwardly-projecting, annular flange 53. which overlies an external, annular flange 54 formed upon the follower gland 48, near the upper end thereof. As'w'ill be seen in Figure l of the drawing, the cap 5| may be screwed downwardly so that the flange 53 on the cap engages the flange 64 on the gland 48. Further downward movement of the cap will. force the gland downwardly, thereby distorting the packing elepacking element 46 is ment 46 into a packed-off position. As the packing element wears away during the operation of the device, the cap may be further rotated so as to move the gland 48 farther downwardly and maintain the packing element in a packed-ofi position.

The retaining cap is provided at its upper end with an outwardly and upwardly directed, marginal flange 55. This flange serves to catch and retain fluids which might chance to run down the elongate member l6, and provides a hand grip whereby the cap may be rotated by hand to distort the packing element. Wrench faces 56 are provided also on the outside of the upper body 21, so that a suitable tool (not shown) may be applied to the body to rotate it and distort the lower packing element l3 into a packedoff position.

In the operation of the stuffing box, the upper utilized to pack off the member I6. Ordinarily, the lower packing element I3 remains undistorted and is not in operation. When the upper packing element wears to such a point that it is desirable to replace it, the retaining collar 3| is rotated to such an extent as to free the flange 29. The upper body 21 is then rotated in a right-hand direction by means of the wrench faces 56 until the follower gland 20 has moved downwardlysufficiently to distort the into a packed-off position. is tightened to clamp place.

The retaining cap 5| may now be loosened and removed, and the follower gland 48 and the worn packing element 46 lifted from the counterbore 4|. A new packing element is inserted in the counterbore and the follower gland 48 replaced in position above the new packing element. The retaining cap is then replaced and screwed downwardly so as to distort the new packing element into a packed-01f position.

After this operation, the retaining collar 3| is again loosened, and the upper body 21 is rotated in a left-hand direction, so as to raise the follower gland 20 and remove the lower packing element |3 from engagement with the member IS. The collar 3| is then again tightened so as to clamp the upper body in place. The stufllng box may now be used until the upper packing element 46 again wears down, at which time the operation given hereinbefore is repeated. It is to be noted that the lower packing element I3 undergoes wear only when the upper packing element 46 is being replaced. Thus, the lower element receives a minimum of. wear, and will last an indefinite length of time.

It is also to be noted that the member I6 is packed off at all times, even when the upper element 46 is being replaced, so that no loss of fluids occurs. Thus, a stuffing box is provided in which the packing element may be replaced without the loss of any fluids and without the interrupting or impeding the movements of the member l6; and which may not be accidentally or negligently disassembled by a workman so as to allow fluids to escape from the body It out of control. i

packing element l3 Then the collar 3| the .upper body 21 in Various changes, alterations and modifications may be made in the size, shape and arrangement of the herein described elements, within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A duplex stuffing box including, a lower stufling box having a packing element therein, a packing gland in said box resting on said packing, an upper stuffing box having a packing element therein, means for distorting the upper packing element, means for securing the boxes together to prevent the rotation of the upper box except when the securing means is loosened, stop means for preventing the securing means from being loosened to such an extent as to allow the boxes to be separated, and a connection between the upper box and the said gland, whereby rotation of the upper box causes said packing gland in the lower box to distort the lower packing element, said stop means also serving to prevent relative rotation between the lower gland and said lower box.

2. A duplex stufling box including, a lower stuffing box having a packing element therein, a packing gland in said box engaging said packing, an upper stufling box having a packing element therein, means for distorting the upper packing element, means for clamping the boxes together to prevent the rotation of the upper box on the lower box except when the clamping means is loosened, stop means for preventing the clamp- I ing means from being loosened to such an extent as to allow the boxes to be separated, a connection between the upper box and the lower box, whereby rotation of the upper box causes the packing gland in the lower box to distort the lower packing element, and means for preventing relative rotation between said gland and said lower stuiflng box when said upper box is being rotated to distort the lower packing element or to release said distorton.

3. A duplex stumng box including, a lower stuffing box having a packing ele'ment therein, a packing gland in said box engaging said packing, an upper stufiing box having a packing element therein, a packing gland in said box for engaging said packing element, a cap threaded on said upper box for engaging said upper packing gland to distort said upper packing element, cap means for clamping the boxes together to prevent the rotation of the upper box on the lower box except when said cap means is loosened, stop means comprising a lug on said cap to prevent the clamping means from being loosened to such an extent as to allow the boxes to be separated, a connection between the upper box and the lower box comprising a depending s t on said upper box for threadably engaging said lower gland, whereby rotation of the upper box causes the packing gland in the lower box to distort the lower packing element, and means for preventing relative rotation between said lower gland and said lower stufling box when said upper box is being rotated to distort the lower packing element or to release said distortion.

moor n. NIXON. 

